Airbus Revamps Engine Restart Procedures After LATAM A320 Incident
After a critical engine shutdown incident involving a LATAM A320, Airbus enhances its engine restart procedures and flight alert systems to improve safety on future flights.
Photo Source: Wikipedia
Airbus has updated its engine restart protocols following a dramatic in-flight incident involving a LATAM Airbus A320. On October 26, 2022, a hailstorm encountered by the aircraft, en route from Foz do Iguaçu to Asunción, triggered the shutdown of both engines. The storm’s intensity, with ice and water content twice the certified limit, posed extreme challenges to the aircraft’s performance.
Flying at 24,000 feet, the A320’s cockpit was dark, the autopilot and autothrust systems were disabled, and several alerts, including engine and windshield anti-icing, were activated. Crucial flight data was lost during an emergency electrical configuration. Despite advancing the thrust levers, both engines failed to restart due to unreliable airspeed.
The crew managed to restore electrical power by activating the auxiliary power unit (APU) and attempted an engine restart using windmilling and starter-assisted relight methods. However, the APU provided only enough pressure for one engine at a time. They successfully restarted the left engine by shutting off the right engine’s master switch, but the right engine remained inoperative due to damage.
In response to the incident, Airbus has stressed the importance of correct procedures during high-stress situations. The company emphasized key actions, such as ensuring proper ignition speeds for windmill restarts and adjusting thrust to avoid compressor stalls. As a result, Airbus is planning to improve flight alert systems on its A350 and A380 models by 2026 to enhance electronic monitoring and operational safety.
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